THE EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF FRAGRANCE
The right scent can be as perfect an accessory as a hot new purse, and can inspire a burst of confidence in you: just one of the benefits of wearing a good perfume.
Other scent effects are deeper, hitting us at emotional and neurological levels. Our sense of smell is strong and neurologically linked to both taste and memory; so our favorite fragrances can be uplifting or calming, remind us of bright days or wild nights— depending on their ranges and notes.
Physiologically, inhaling a fragrance stimulates the part of your brain where taste is analyzed and emotional memories are stored; it also connects to the areas that deal with heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, stress levels, and hormone balance. Of the five senses, only our sense of smell is linked directly to our “emotional control center” part of the brain—- the same place where fear, anxiety, depression, anger and joy resonate from.
There is a whole arm of fragrance that uses scented oils and extracts for medicinal (physical or mental) purposes, to soothe and heal, relax and inspire; different essential oils claim to enhance everything from emotional state to physical lifespan. Scents have been used for centuries for ritualistic purposes, to reduce stress and emotional trauma, increase energy, inspire moods, or stimulate hormone production.
Today, science is looking more and more into how and why certain fragrances make us feel the way they do. Researchers at the Universities of Vienna and Berlin recently found that a specific chemical in sandalwood and frankincense can increase the brain’s oxygen levels as much as 20 percent! This burst can essentially improve the functioning of the immune system, as well as improve learning and attitude, hormone balance, and energy levels.
Find out how some common fragrance notes can help affect or improve your moods, and then use Perfume.com’s Fragrance Finder to help you choose the scent that’s right for you and your mind!
Published By Jessica Linnay
on November 10th, 2009 08:56
